KEF LSX SetUp for Best Sound Quality - Apple Hi-Res Lossless

[@jamessann193]

Hi @prabin. Did you try and change your Audio MIDI settings on the MacBook Pro to a higher rate with the DAC connected to the Mac and then optical into the KEF? Is that still limited?

[@PrabinJoel]

Thanks for the tip! Topping D10s displays what I choose as the output rate. I'll have few listening sessions to see if I hear any difference. Pinning your comment for other to see :)

[@g.b.4488]

24bit/96khz is the perfect option… even with cable mode you don‘t get more out of the LSX… but who needs more??? 😉

[@albertjulve8686]

@@g.b.4488 hi! Why are we limited to 24/96 in Mac? If I try to go higher in the Midi Settings I get no sound out of the KEF… the maximum I can get is 32/96… 😢

[@nophotoallowed]

@@albertjulve8686 do you found the solution? I have same problem here

[@danialhamzah1399]

@@albertjulve8686 the DAC in the KEF itself is 96/24 right? So wouldnt that mean that 96/24 is the highest output the KEF LSX can do

[@ProperZen]

I’ve been searching for a solution myself but can’t find one. The main issue is that the KEF LSX has an onboard DAC so adding another external DAC to the chain is redundant. The optimal solution would be to get a toslink optical out of the iOS device that does not involve a DAC. I’m not sure if this exists. I’ll keep looking and thank you for sharing your set-up and your thoughts.

[@danb821]

I’ve been trying to find the same thing. Did you have any luck? Im primarily interested in linking from my iPhone or iPad. Thanks

[@GlennEdell]

I'm using a Node streamer connected to my LSX via fiberoptical. Bam. High Res deluxe. Also connected... a Kef Kube 8b subwoofer. The sound is out of this world. Crisp. clear and punchy. I just love it.

[@g.b.4488]

I use the Topping D10s and Apple Lossless, too with my MB Air M1 or direct Stream from my iPhone via AirPlay2. If you want to get the most out of your LSX use a Subwoofer… believe me, it‘s totally worth it 👍 great video by the way, thank you 🙏

[@PrabinJoel]

Do you use the KC62 subwoofer?

[@g.b.4488]

@@PrabinJoel no, I use a Canton. The room is too small vor a KC62. It‘s my desk/office setup. The KC62 is surely the perfect match. 👍

[@TheSpeedimon]

@@g.b.4488 How a room can be small for KC62? Physically - it is tiny, a bit less than LSX pair if put together. And it has ton of settings for frequency controls and presets for different setup in the room. Also you can control LFE crossover frequency, sub gain, etc. from KEF control app.

[@kevin1889]

Toslink is the way to go. Kef lsx has its own dac. As per many people it does not matter what dac you use if you are using a digital signal just get something which just has toslink system connector the specs will not matter as the dac in kef takes care of the output. Investing in high quality dac does not make sense as there is no digital to analog conversion.

[@jackfruit123]

TOSlink optical is digital so it bypass D10’s dac and use LSX’s dac instead. Since you are not using D10’s dac, any cheaper usb to optical converter on Amazon will produce the same quality. If you can find any external dac better than lsx’s then you need to use the 3.5mm analog connection to see if it sound better.

[@carlosr.2027]

I just purchase mac mini m2 how would I get the lsx 1 to work as a 2 channel stereo to listen hi res music or watch movies with prime , Netflix , KZbin , this Mac mini m2 only has Thunderbolt 4, usb a, hdmi , and headphone jack there’s no tosslink optical

[@gokzilla]

I connect my Kef lsx to my PC with 3.5 aux. I have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 too. I dont know which connection is the best or can i even hear the difference. I want to buy the Fioo k3, if the connection with toslink is much better.

[@jackfruit123]

@@carlosr.2027 you can use sound blaster external usb sound card to connect to your pc or mac. Then use optical cable from sound blaster to KEF LSX. it sound great.

[@bpalpha]

I would put these on stands or some foam acoustic isolating pads, not just the desktop. They may sound slightly better tipped up towards the listener.

[@1trompet146]

Great review, thanks!

[@alessiomencaroni9879]

Hi, I tried optical with 192khz Apple hires but it seems it supports up to 96khz… did you have this problem?

[@PrabinJoel]

LSX can take in 192khz input but output is limited to 96khz.

[@alessiomencaroni9879]

@@PrabinJoel in fact I input 192khz and there is no output sound… is that normal?

[@PrabinJoel]

@@alessiomencaroni9879 That's not normal. I have midi output on Mac set at 32bit 192kHz and it works.

[@vedfj4279]

Hello @Prabin ! Congratulations for the video. Is bluetooth always on or you can disable this? Same question for the wifi connection

[@PrabinJoel]

You have to switch between modes (bluetooth, wifi, optical..) using the remote. Generally, if the ethernet cable is plugged in, it is always connected to the home wifi - so that you can control it via KEF control app

[@davychan1864]

you can just only do 48kHz/24bit with wireless mode and 96kHz/24bit with a cable mode, also web said support 192kHz/24bit input, but when i input by toslink it not work very well, i think because the KEF LSX have internal DAC , which is not support some format maybe. i'm using pc with LSX connected with toslink, i have tried add a creative x4 in between , than can be doing 192kHz/24bit via the X4 to the Lsx, but still LSX DAC will be down scale back to the best it can do which is 96kHz/24bit, but it's work fine.

[@gpapa31]

Saw the FOCUSRITE and got excited. I have a MOTU audio interface. I am thinking of plugging the LSX to the MOTU and from there to the MacBook (music listening and guitar playing). Will this setup work? I mean the Audio Interface has a DAC so should be similar, right?

[@tldhthompson]

best way: 3.5mm or toslink into LSX. Next best way: Air Play 2. It is that simple with LSX. No reason to use an external DAC as the signal sent to the LSX passes through the internal ADC & DAC; no reason to overcomplicate the process.

[@PrabinJoel]

I haven't found a way to get rid of Topping D10s in this setup. It is necessary as an interface between the MacBook and LSX. Suggestions are welcome as I'm learning as well!

[@tldhthompson]

Nevermind - I see that you actually are not using your DAC as a DAC but simply to convert USB to Toslink. I agree this is the best way for apple products to LSX for best quality.

[@ilkaycetindag5524]

​@@tldhthompson Do you think is there any difference using with PROZOR 192KHz DAC or D10s on KEF LSX for sound quality?

[@ilkaycetindag5524]

@@PrabinJoel Do you think is there any difference using with PROZOR 192KHz DAC or D10s on KEF LSX for sound quality?

[@PrabinJoel]

@@ilkaycetindag5524 Sorry, I haven't used PROZOR..

[@Mal-xz4zu]

How does connecting aux from Mac to speakers compare to the DAC? Have you tried other computers, e.g., chromebook. How do they compare to the mac?

[@thepickyaudiophile]

Hi there! I would personally worry about the physical setup of the speaker first, as this is likely to have more of an impact on the sound. Ideally something that decouples the speaker from the desk and angles the drivers towards the ears. I have not tried KEFs own stand, but I use Isoacoustics Iso-130 with great success. The base of the speaker does not fit perfectly on the decouplers (but it’s perfectly useable), so I’ve chosen to lay the speakers on their sides. Alternatively cheap foam wedges from Amazon are also an improvement to just sitting them in directly in the desk. Isoacoustics also make some small pucks, if you prefer a more clean look 🙂

[@PrabinJoel]

I'm planning to pick up the desk stands from KEF that would angle the speaker towards the ears. Thanks for the tip. I'll check Isoacoustics :)

[@thepickyaudiophile]

@@PrabinJoel Great, please let us know your experience 😊

[@g.b.4488]

I use isolation pads from Amazon (10% angled like recommended). The pads prevent distortions almost completely. If you want a link just tell me

[@GlennEdell]

The LSX stand is great but does won't solve the near listening experience. It makes it a bit better but for these speaker you need to listen from a distance to get the most out of them. At least 1,5-2 m away.

[@thepickyaudiophile]

@@GlennEdell I agree they sound much better with some distance. But would a concentric driven not be considered the ideal for close up listening? Or in other words, do you think other speakers would be better?

[@UptownPercussion]

Will you get the best audio quality simply by connecting a usbc cable from computer to the LSX 2s?

[@PrabinJoel]

I don't have an LSX 2, but I would say yes (similar to any external DAC)

[@WhoAmI_307]

Hi Joel , thanks for the great video. I have youtube music premium from iPhone. What’s the best way to connect to LSX. There is no build in chromecast like LS60. 1. Apple air play? 2. I have chromecast audio. Connect to AUX to LSX?

[@mustaphadiallo2134]

ok

[@litvinovserge]

Looks cool, but the price... IMAO better to add some budget and get LS50w

[@PrabinJoel]

Thanks! Indeed, LS50 W II is a better choice if you have the budget (~$2.4k) and if the table has enough space.

[@macmovieman1]

I was really excited to see your desk and that you’re using the Focucrite Scarlet 2i2. I was really hoping to hear that you plugged it into the back and could control the volume right from the front of the unit. Have you tried to connect it yet?

[@gokzilla]

i have the Focusreite 2i2 too, and want to know if its better to connect he Kef lsx to them or direct to pc 3.5 aux.

[@macmovieman1]

@@gokzilla I decided to use the speaker for zoom and that required me to run it through the Scarlet. It sounds absolutely amazing but I never did get around to do any A/B tests.

[@MrAerialsound]

I thought usb-c is better than toslink connection to the KEF ? How about Amazon music to the topping DAC?

[@PabloZendrera]

Hello Prabin, When you connect the iPad to the Topping, and the Topping to the LSX, can you control the volume that the speakers output from the volume keys in the iPad? Or do you need to use the remote?

[@PrabinJoel]

Yes, you can use the volume keys.

[@PabloZendrera]

@@PrabinJoel Great, thanks! And did you try to connect it to the MacBook? I expect that you would be able to use the volume keys also in that scenario...

[@PrabinJoel]

@@PabloZendrera I'm using it with MacBook most of the time and you can use the volume keys..

[@jmiguelpina]

you have no problems with the volume when you use airplay ?, I feel that the volume 0-50% sounds very low, all the volume is from 80 to 100% in the volume bar

[@PrabinJoel]

Haven't noticed any issues.

[@udahuda]

Why you can't connect it with a Mac with USB?

[@musicartgalaxy-bollywoodst2869]

Can scarlet get the job done for external dac for mac on lossless music? Is there any diff sound quality from your 2i2 scarlet and the other black one dac? For Apple music output

[@PrabinJoel]

The problem with Apple Music on MacBook is that the app doesn't have an "Exclusive" mode similar to TIDAL, where it bypasses MacBook's internal DAC. I use Focusrite 2i2 only for recording and not for playback.

[@gokzilla]

i have the KEF lsx and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2g. Iam connect he KEF lsx with my PC with 3.5 Aux Cable. When i buy the Topping D10s DAC, can i hear the better sound ? Iam thinking to buy the Fiio K3, it has optical out too and Headphone Amp.

[@albertjulve8686]

Hi and thanks for the video! I have the exact same setup as you but have a question. Is it normal that I cannot get 24/192 quality? I have Macbook Pro M1 Max 2021 connected to Topping D10s with USB and from D10s to LSX with Toslink cable. I changed Midi Settings from Mac and selected 24/96 khz and sounds good, but if I try go higher and select 24/192 it mutes and no so sound cames out of the LSX. Any workaround or help to be able to get anything higher than 24/96khz? The D10s is able to get better quality and other users have been able to but I cannot. Have you? Thanks!!

[@PrabinJoel]

My setup works both on 24 and 32 at 192khz. Are you on cable mode? If not, connect both speakers with an Ethernet cable and turnon cable mode in your key app.

[@albertjulve8686]

@@PrabinJoel yes I am using cable and have cable mode enabled in the app… if I choose anything more than 32/96 I get no sound… at least in itunes with lossless enabled!

[@albertjulve8686]

@@PrabinJoel but in your video the d10s only shows 96 PCM on screen. That’s what I also see on my d10s screen. Can’t go higher than that… 😥

[@PrabinJoel]

@@albertjulve8686 If I change the 'Output' in 'Audio Midi Setup' on my Mac to 24/192, it does show 192 in D10s. May be check if your LSX Firmware is updated?

[@PrabinJoel]

Also, do check the master volume in 'Audio Midi Setup'.

[@skdoctor]

Thanks Prabin. I was searching this for a long time and finally found your video to be useful. I have connected the way you have done but to the iMAC instead. I just have one naive question. While I changed the setting from MIDI output in the iMAC to 32/96 and it plays the apple music, however the apple music window still says 16 bit 44.1khz alac despite changing the audio streaming setting in apple music to high-res audio lossless. any help will be appreciated.

[@PrabinJoel]

Thanks. It is normal as most audio files on Apple are 16bit 44.1kHz. You can check this playlist for much higher quality files. music.apple.com/be/playlist/hi-res-lossless-audio/pl.u-e2myqFy94AZ Also, you can set midi output to 32 but 192kHz coz LSX can take i/p up to 192kHz

[@rohitarora5411]

You are getting 96khz because kef lsx cannot play 192khz

[@moos7005]

Hi Prabin, is there any video sound delay with these speakers. I just returned the Denon Home 150 because of Lip Sync issues, it has massive delay. SO om looking for new blue tooth speakers. It might that its an issue with my tv (samsung 8000series) or Blue tooth speakers in general.

[@wenzimmerman2251]

I am no expert, but there is a lip sync issue between the KEF LSX speakers and my Samsung TV which I am currently trying to resolve! It isn't major, just annoying!

[@sajida7305]

What exactly is the bit rate goes to kef lsx if played hi res lossless music from iPhone via airplay 2?

[@g.b.4488]

44,1KHz/16-Bit (restricted Apple ALAC format)

[@lucapaulosguarnieri1153]

does the usb adapter need external power?

[@PrabinJoel]

No. But when using it with an iPad, it drains battery quickly. For Mac it works fine.

[@lucapaulosguarnieri1153]

@@PrabinJoel thank you!